The Kings and Queens of Early 2000s Hip Hop: A Decade of Dominance
The early 2000s was a pivotal time for hip hop, with the genre continuing to evolve and branch out into new sub-genres and styles. This was an era that saw the rise of new stars, the continued dominance of established artists, and the emergence of innovative production styles. In this article, we’ll take a look at the artists who dominated early 2000s hip hop.
The Southern Kings: UGK, OutKast, and Lil Jon
The Southern United States was a hotbed of hip hop activity in the early 2000s, with artists like UGK, OutKast, and Lil Jon leading the charge.
– UGK’s Underground Kingz album (2007) is widely regarded as a classic of the era, with hits like “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)”.
– OutKast’s Stankonia (2000) and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003) albums showcased the duo’s innovative production style and eclectic sound.
– Lil Jon’s Crunk Juice (2004) album was a massive commercial success, with hits like “What U Gon’ Do” and “Lovers & Friends”.
The East Coast Empire: Jay-Z, Nas, and The Diplomats
The East Coast was still a major force in hip hop in the early 2000s, with artists like Jay-Z, Nas, and The Diplomats dominating the airwaves.
– Jay-Z’s The Blueprint (2001) and The Black Album (2003) albums cemented his status as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
– Nas’s Stillmatic (2001) album was a critically-acclaimed comeback, with hits like “Ether” and “Got Ur Self A…”.
– The Diplomats’ Diplomatic Immunity (2003) album was a commercial success, with hits like “Dipset Anthem” and “Crunk Muzik”.
The West Coast Warriors: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and The Game
The West Coast was still a major player in hip hop in the early 2000s, with artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and The Game leading the charge.
– Dr. Dre’s 2001 (1999) album was a massive commercial success, with hits like “Still D.R.E.” and “Forgot About Dre”.
– Snoop Dogg’s Tha Last Meal (2000) album was a critically-acclaimed effort, with hits like “Lay Low” and “Loosen’ Control”.
– The Game’s The Documentary (2005) album was a commercial success, with hits like “Hate It or Love It” and “How We Do”.
The Queens of Hip Hop: Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, and Foxy Brown
The early 2000s was also a great time for female hip hop artists, with Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, and Foxy Brown leading the charge.
– Missy Elliott’s Under Construction (2002) album was a critically-acclaimed effort, with hits like “Work It” and “Gossip Folks”.
– Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998) album was a massive commercial success, with hits like “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Everything Is Everything”.
– Foxy Brown’s Broken Silence (2001) album was a critically-acclaimed effort, with hits like “Fallin'” and “Na Na”.
The early 2000s was a great time for hip hop, with a diverse range of artists dominating the airwaves. From the Southern Kings to the East Coast Empire, the West Coast Warriors, and the Queens of Hip Hop, this era saw the rise of new stars and the continued dominance of established artists.